Enjoy this newcomer fellow modelers:






















Based in this illustration:




And here's him. Taking his medal of Honor:




I don't know the price, or the sculptor. Feel free to update intel

It is 3d printed?

I would like to see the castings better. The illustrations look absolutely great but the one pic of the actual castings looks a LOT less sharp and defined. A good review seems to be warranted.

Colin

looks good but like colin would like to see the casting. I'm sure it will keep the WW2 buffs very happy keep up the good work

ian

Guys, you see - this is a very first bust. What you are saying is a bit true: Casts seem rather soft: A consequence of not choosing the right 3D printer to create masters. This is affecting several industries at present time (for example fellow member Rpkualla already shared here his own disapointments in his learning curve to surpassing difficulties), and this piece is no exception to these problems. However that is fixable.

Many of you, who handled in the past fire arms may already looked at the way he is firing the M1917A1.

It is based in the illustration I showed, and if you look closely - in the poster he is not firing. On the other hand the bust is. Why the difference is important: Because a barrel of a repetitive machine gun heats quite quickly to around 300º to 500º degrees (and even more!). Holding a barrel like that was the same as putting your hand in a cooktop heater at maximum temperature. And the characteristic water jacket of this gun is not connected to the coolant system.


In real warfare, Marines who wanted portability and fire while advancing solved this problem with a large Asbestos gunner's mitt.


Better than words, I'll use the fantastic Soldier Story 1/6 mannequin to show how in real warfare the gun was fired with both hands:







Really looks something out of an industrial kitchen. But it worked! It enhanced heavy fire and movement at the same time. A key requirement in jungle warfare where static positions are not an option.




Obviously, in our modelling beach that glove would be heavily weathered, but that's why we use brushes and not tissue Different beaches, different presentations


I'm saying this not to stir waters. If it was a creation by an established name the noise would be huge, and somehow justifiable!

As this is a first attempt, we must be tolerant and use the power of mankind civilization to simply ask for a slight, nevertheless highly important modification in his left hand. And this is where 3D can be a great tool in scale modeling: A "firmware" is a quick and easy job!

I wasn't criticizing. It's just that anyone wanting this bust should be aware of exactly what they are getting. If the castings are soft, then there is the potential for real disappointment as I don't expect the castings are pictured on the box. A lot of money to part with if one finds that the contents don't match the marketing. I am sure there is no intent to deceive.

Colin

Actually Basilone lost his asbestos glove at a certain moment during the battle for Henderson Field, but continued shooting the machinegun while carring it, suffering third degree burns on his left hand and forearm. That incident is well depicted in "The Pacific" series.

The review of the actual item will make or break sales. I am waiting the OOB review before ordering.

You see Gerald, while the episode is relatively well known, we must also think a bit about it. Using a bent sleeve to protect his hand in the middle of a nightmare is a possibility. But a bare hand ... hum ... Please allow me to say this: holding a machine gun like this, let me use this word, is impossible! What would happen would not be second degree or third degree burns: Your hand would instantly tack to the gun barrel and it would fry violently exactly like a beef, and in about one minute or less it would turn to ashes. It is exactly the same or even worst of pressuring your hand against a cooktop heater at maximum temperature.

Burns are a common place when using guns, sometimes something so simple such as switching a magazine results in a burn. If I would loose the Asbestos gunner's mitt I am imagining myself using the sleeve's fist to protect my hand in the middle of a chaos I hope I, and all of us, will never face. And my sleeve would ignite soon too ...

Please understand - it's a bit like those figures of a guy handling calmly 6 Tiger II links on his shoulder. Too many times in figurine, sculptors are not aware of heat, weight and so on, of the real things. Not intending to be controversial - If we saw it on TV it doesn't mean it happened exactly like that.

Looks like a really dynamic bust...Also a HUGE plus in their favour...It is NOT another Herman the German...

I am very surprised there has not been more skepticism over using 3-d images as box art given the outcry years ago about modified figures or extra groundwork being used for box-art that were not in the kit. Basically you are looking at an engineer's blueprint before the machining is done. Its not the same as looking at a Carl Reid sculpt that has been primed.

Bob

You see, Bob, that has to be the best definition I have ever found about the true Achilles Heel hitting the 3d market! Cheers!

Well..tell that to him..

I'll have this one to show at my local club till the rest of my days!!!


Jokes apart, to the benefit of the sculptor he is not firing. But it is incredible how frequently we see sculpts of impossible performances! Not just in modelling, but as you demonstrate in urban sculpture as well.

I think its a fantastic piece. Its clearly not meant to be literal and supposed to be a comic book style, which I think works really well.

I'm really interested in this piece and look forward to more from the manufacturer.

Guys,

Regardless of whether the bust is firing or not, the fact remains that Sgt. Basilone, in the midst of a major attack, moved a recently fired gun w/o benefit of his asbestos glove. Whether his finger was on the trigger or up his nose is not relevant, the gun was still hot, as his injuries showed. However, on another side of the Marines perimeter, Sgt. Mitchell Paige did exactly what this bust portrays... he led a Marine bayonet attack, carrying and firing his machine gun. He suffered similar injuries and was also awarded the MoH for his actions. Impossible performances are often seen in wartime under dire circumstances.

Rest tranquil, David


I belong to the clan that is awaiting to see the quality of the castings.


But if they prove to be great, and upon purchase, if someone is willing to modify the bust, it can be a quick and easy job - from impossible to plausible. You can make the glove or you just have to know the real weaponry. And in this case, an image is worth one thousand words




Ingenuity is the mother of necessity! In reality and in modelling as well.

So, like the classic German mechanic holding six Tiger II links, here too a "plan B" or a "plan C" are easy tasks!

Hmmmm.. Tranquility is my middle name...

I am also anxious to see the casting quality of the finished piece, BUT I am not concerned about plans to modify a piece that is, IMO, already correct.

Sorry, but your 1000 word story isn't too clear. For every photo like this one, a"museum" Machine Gun, there are many, many more (taken in combat zones) which do not show the carrying handle with which you seem to be so taken. I would suspect that the handle, much like many bipods and carrying handles for the BAR were quickly "lost" by Marines who didn't want the extra weight. As noted above, both Sgt.s suffered severe burns to their arms, an unlikely occurrence if they had the use of such a handle.

No need for a Plan "B" or "C".